~ create your beauty

Category Archives: Plein Air

Never leave life to chance. That is how Charlie Hunter popped up as one of my favorite artists on my feed. I liked, no loved, this guy’s art work and had this emotional connection to his art immediately. I went to his website and he was offering several workshops and, without thinking of the consequences, I found myself registering for his “Frozen Ass” workshop in Vermont. Okay, if I had thought this through I might have considered that in March snow or ice would have many drawbacks. But instead I threw caution to the wind and went.

Charlie has an eye for the things we miss and can compose a piece of wonder on the spot. He hypnotized the group as we watched his demos, entertains with his quick wit and then sends his flock off to create. Back a week now from the workshop and it will be at the top of my list forever more as one of the best workshops I have ever taken and hope to do it again. Suddenly today I am reading Alla Prima II by Richard Schmidt and his piece on composition quoted below:

“Above all, always be on the lookout for paintings with designs you find thrilling. Try to figure out why you like them. If you know what it is about a designs that turns you on — exactly what the artist captured which you would like to capture too–then you will have learned something valuable about yourself, and that something can become part of your repertoire too! It is relatively easy to see how a design is produced once you become aware of exactly what the artist sought to achieve.”

Then right below that paragraph is a wonderful piece about Charlie Hunter

“I do not know if I ever said no one is born with a natural sense of design, but if it is with the realm of human evolution, or the whim of the Divine, to allow one individual to possess such a gift, then Charles Hunter is certainly the lucky winner. Since he began painting and drawing as a new member of the Putney Painters some time ago, Charlie has dazzled, nay shocked and always transports us by his uncanny ability to seize upon the most unnoticeable of things, and transform them into bewitching jewels.

No Oriental or Occidental master of the pure line can surpass what Charlie, almost matter-of-factly does when he takes pencil in hand. I include a few samples on the right as design qualities for inspiration”

So I wanted to say thanks to Charlie for making me work so hard at being a better artist. It is work, sweat and tears that turns you into the best, just ask Charles Hunter.

Charlie will be at the Olmsted Plein Air Invitational in Atlanta April 25 – May 1. Do not miss him or his work that will be on display in the collector’s gallery.http://www.olmstedpleinair.com

Great outing in Murrayville, GA with Ken and the others in the workshop. Perfect day and look at our wonderful models. The man who owns this property moves in structures and stages scenes with old trucks and anything else he finds. A great place for artists.

Thanks to Kay Montgomery and Parson’s Gift store for opening the Thomas Kinkade gallery to local Cumming artist Mary Negron, Jay David and Jeanne Matey. “Being surrounded in this multi-artist gallery was inspiring,” said one of the local artist. Thanks to all at Parson’s for your support of local artists.